Method of treating cardiac arrest

Abstract

A method of treating cardiac arrest patients using epinephrine and a device that uses a belt to perform anterior-posterior closed chest compressions. In animal experiments the combination of epinephrine and a belt-driven anterior-posterior chest compression device produced high levels of coronary perfusion pressure, myocardial blood flow and cerebral blood flow relative to both pre-arrest levels and relative to conventional CPR techniques.

1 . A method of performing basic life support on a patient in cardiac arrest, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a device for performing chest compressions on the patient, said device having a belt, wherein the chest compression device is capable of compressing the chest of the patient with the belt, is adapted to perform anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient and has a weight low enough to allow a human rescuer to carry the chest compression device;    providing a dose of epinephrine, said dose suitable for treating a patient in cardiac arrest;    providing a means for administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient;    performing anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient with the device; and    administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method is performed by a first responder.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the first responder is selected from the group consisting of fire fighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the further steps of: 
 providing a means for delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient; and    delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the method is performed by a first responder.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the first responder is selected from the group consisting of fire fighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.  
   
   
       7 . A method of treating a patient, wherein the patient is located in the field, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a device for performing chest compressions on the patient, said device having a belt, wherein the chest compression device is capable of compressing the chest of the patient with the belt, is adapted to perform anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient and has a weight low enough to allow a human rescuer to carry the chest compression device;    providing a dose of epinephrine, said dose suitable for treating a patient in cardiac arrest;    providing a means for administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient;    performing anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient with the device; and    administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the method is performed by a first responder.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first responder is selected from the group consisting of fire fighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  comprising the further steps of: 
 providing a means for delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient; and    delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the method is performed by a first responder.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first responder is selected from the group consisting of fire fighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.  
   
   
       13 . A method of treating a patient, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a device for performing chest compressions on the patient, said device having a belt, wherein the chest compression device is capable of compressing the chest of the patient with the belt, is adapted to perform anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient and has a weight low enough to allow a human rescuer to carry the chest compression device;    providing a dose of epinephrine, said dose suitable for treating a patient in cardiac arrest;    providing a means for administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient;    performing anterior-posterior chest compressions on the patient with the device; and    administering the dose of epinephrine to the patient.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  comprising the further steps of: 
 providing a means for delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient; and    delivering a defibrillating shock to the patient.